Golf tee

ABSTRACT

A golf tee for supporting a golf ball above a surface is provided having a lower end portion engageable with the surface and an upper end portion having an upper surface with a first surface area. A plurality of protrusions extend from the upper surface. The protrusions have a portion that engages the golf ball when the golf ball is on the tee to space the golf ball from the upper surface. The portion has a second surface area engaging the golf ball smaller than the first surface area.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to golf tees and more specifically, to alow friction golf tee limiting contact between the golf tee and a golfball.

BACKGROUND

A tee is a stand used to support a stationary golf ball so that theplayer can more easily strike it. The word “tee” as it relates to thegame of golf originated as the name for the area where a golfer played.Modern golf tees are typically placed in the ground or other underlyingsurface, onto which a golf ball rests upon the tee. The tee allows thegolf ball to reside above the surface, thus allowing a golfer to gain anadvantage when striking the golf ball. Normally, teeing the ball isallowed only on the first shot of a hole, called the tee shot, andillegal for any other shot; however, local or seasonal rules may allowor require teeing for other shots as well, e.g., under “winter rules” toprotect the turf when it is unusually vulnerable. Teeing gives aconsiderable advantage for drive shots, so it is normally done wheneverallowed.

A standard golf tee typically includes a cupped support surface uponwhich a golf ball rests and a cylindrical shaft underlying the supportsurface that penetrates or rests upon the ground. The slight concavityof the standard tee allows for a relatively large amount of surfacecontact between tee and ball. The movement of the ball across theconcave surface will prematurely impart an undesirable spin to the ball.This spin will be accelerated by the natural wind conditions of the day.The initial spin will determine the initial flight pattern. It istherefore desirable for the ball to have limited contact with the tee.The club face angle, dimples on the ball, wind conditions and the golfswing should be the only determinants on the flight of the golf ball. Itis therefore an important feature of the tee, that there is minimumcontact between ball and tee.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a golf tee for supporting agolf ball above a surface includes a lower end portion engageable withthe surface and an upper end portion having an upper surface with afirst surface area. A plurality of protrusions extend from the uppersurface. The protrusions have a portion that engages the golf ball whenthe golf ball is on the tee to space the golf ball from the uppersurface. The portion has a second surface area engaging the golf ballsmaller than the first surface area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the presentinvention relates upon reading the following description with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a golf tee inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of an upper portion of the golf tee of FIG.1A;

FIG. 1C is a front view of the upper portion of the golf tee of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a side view of the upper portion of the golf tee of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1E is a top view of the golf tee of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of agolf tee in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of an upper portion of the golf tee of FIG.2A;

FIG. 2C is a front view of the upper portion of the golf tee of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D is a side view of the upper portion of the golf tee of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2E is a top view of the golf tee of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a golf tee inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a top view of the golf tee of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a golf tee inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a top view of the golf tee of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a golf tee inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5B is a top view of the golf tee of FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to low friction golf tees which limitcontact between the golf tee and a golf ball. According to an aspect ofthe present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1A-E, a golf tee 20 isprovided with an elongated shaft 22 having a lower end portion 24 and anoppositely disposed upper end portion 30. The lower end portion 24extends substantially along a central axis 50. The lower end portion 24is configured to engage a support surface. The support surface may be,for example, a surface on a golf course, such as grass, sod, dirt, etc.The lower end portion 24 is constructed similar to a standard golf teesuch that the golf tee 20 can easily pierce the ground anywhere on agolf course. The lower end portion 24 includes a tip 26 that may come toa point to aid insertion into the support surface. Alternatively, thetip 26 may be planar so that the tee 20 may rest on a flat surface.

The upper end portion 30 includes a plurality of support members 32projecting radially outwardly relative to the central axis 50. Together,the support members 32 and the lower end portion 24 have a generallyY-shaped construction. This Y-shaped configuration can be used to assistthe golfer in positioning or aiming his tee shot. For example, a golfermay align the Y-shaped opening with the desired target direction andposition his body accordingly.

Each support member 32 may extend outwardly at the same angle relativeto the central axis 50 or the support members may extend outwardly atdifferent angles. Together, the support members 32 define a wedge shapedopening 34 that accommodates a golf ball. The opening 34 extends betweenthe support members 32 along the central axis 50 and terminates at asurface 31 of the shaft 22 that spaces the support members from oneanother. Although two support members 32 are shown, those havingordinary skill in the art will appreciate that more or fewer supportmembers may be provided, including a single support member similar totraditional golf tees. The support members 32 are symmetrically spacedrelative to one another about the central axis 50 and/or an axis 52extending orthogonal to the central axis (FIG. 1E).

Each support member 32 at least partially circumscribes the central axis50 and defines the periphery of the upper portion 30 of the tee 20. Thesupport member 32 includes a concave upper surface 36 having a cuppedshaped construction. Collectively, the upper surface(s) 36 of thesupport member(s) 32 define a top surface of the upper portion 30. Eachupper surface 36 may be spaced from the central axis 50 or may intersectthe central axis. The upper surface 36 is similar to that of traditionalgolf tees in that it has a concave construction that follows the generalcontour of a standard golf ball.

At least one protrusion 38 extends from each upper surface 36 and intothe opening 34. As shown in the current embodiment, two protrusions 38extend from the upper surface 36 of each support member 32, althoughmore or fewer protrusions may be provided on each support member. Theprotrusions 38 on each support member 32 may be adjacent to or adjoiningone another, or may be spaced apart from one another in an equidistantor an uneven manner. The protrusions 38 may be positioned in a symmetricpattern or an asymmetric pattern relative to the central axis 50 and/orthe axis 52. Although the golf tees are described as having Y shapedportions including multiple support members 32, it is contemplated thatthe protrusions 38 may extend from the upper surfaces of any upperportion of a golf tee, such as a cupped shaped upper surface or a planarupper surface.

Each protrusion 38 includes an inner portion 40, an outer portion 42,and an edge portion 44 interconnecting the inner portion and the outerportion. The inner portion 40 extends along the radial extent of theupper surface 36, indicated at L1 in FIG. 1E. Although the inner portion40 is shown extending across the entire radial extent L1 of the uppersurface 36, the inner portion may be shorter or longer than the radialextent of the upper surface. Regardless, a surface 41 of the innerportion 40 has a surface area that is substantially less than thesurface area of the upper surface 36. The inner portion 40 extends awayfrom the upper surface 36 and has a concave contour, thereby forming agenerally wedge-shaped construction. In this configuration, the surfaces41 of the inner portions 40 face one another.

The outer portion 42 is positioned farther from the central axis 50 thanthe inner portion 40 and helps define the periphery of the upper portion30 of the tee 20. In contrast to the inner portion 40, the outer portion42 has a convex contour. The outer portion 42 extends along the outerperiphery of the support member 32 and provides structural support tothe inner portion 40.

The edge portion 44 may have a pointed or rounded construction andinterconnects the inner portion 40 to the outer portion 42. Byinterconnecting the inner portion 40 and the outer portion 42, the edgeportion 44 defines the apex of the protrusion 38, which is defined asthe portion of the protrusion that is farthest away from the uppersurface 36 in the axial direction. The edge portion 44 is thereforespaced a distance, indicated at H1 in FIG. 1C, that is farther from thesurface 31 of the shaft 22 than any other portion of the protrusion 38.The edge portion 44 is also spaced farther from the upper surface 36than any other portion of the protrusion 38.

Each edge portion 44 is spaced radially from the central axis 50 a firstdistance, indicated at D1 in FIG. 1E. Although each edge portion 44 isillustrated as being spaced radially from the central axis 50 by thefirst distance D1, those having ordinary skill will appreciate that eachedge portion may be spaced radially from the central axis a distancethat is greater or smaller than the first distance. Accordingly, theedge portions 44 may be radially spaced from the central axis 50 bydifferent distances.

Together, the inner portion 40, outer portion 42, and edge portion 44form a protrusion 38 have a generally triangular cross-section orpyramid shape. The protrusions 38 may, however, exhibit othercross-sections, such as square, rectangular, circular, or any otherpolygonal construction in accordance with the present invention.

Since the inner portions 40 extend away from the upper surface 36, whenan object, such as a golf ball, is placed upon the tee 20, the golf ballrests only on the surfaces 41 of the inner portions. This placementspaces the golf ball from the upper surfaces 36 of the support members32 and the surface 31 of the shaft 22. Since the golf ball is only incontact with the surfaces 41 of the inner portions 40 of the protrusions38, and not the upper surfaces 36 of the support members 32, there isless frictional engagement between the golf ball and the tee 20. As aresult, a golf ball struck from a resting position atop the tee mayexperience less friction and therefore, may travel farther than a golfball struck from a conventional tee. Furthermore, since there is areduced contact area between the golf ball and the tee, the adverseeffects of surface imperfections in the tee upon the flight of the golfball can be diminished.

Alternatively, only the edge portions 44 of the protrusions 38, and notthe inner portions 40, may engage the golf ball when the golf ball isplaced upon the tee 20. This may be accomplished by reducing the radialdistance between each edge portion and the central axis 50 to the pointthat the golf ball, when placed on the golf tee 20, rests atop the edgeportions. The surface area of the portions of the edge portions 44engaging the golf ball is smaller than the surface area of the uppersurfaces 36. Accordingly, since the golf ball is only in contact withthe edge portions 44 and not the upper surfaces 36 of the supportmembers 32 there is less frictional engagement between the golf ball andthe tee 20.

The tee 20 may be made of any material or materials known to thoseskilled in the art. Exemplary materials include polymers such aspolylactic acid (PLA), PHA, wood, and metals (e.g. aluminum, etc.). Insome embodiments, the tee 20 may be formed of a biodegradable material,such as a biodegradable polylactic acid-based material. It may bedesirable to select a material that has a low coefficient of friction inorder to decrease the amount of ball-tee friction.

The golf tees of the present invention can be formed by any techniqueknown to those skilled in the art to be suitable for the production ofitems formed of the material of choice. For example, if a polymericmaterial is used, injection or compression molding or machining may be asuitable manufacturing technique.

A golf tee 120 having an alternative configuration for the upper endportion of the shaft is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E. The elements inFIGS. 2A-E having a similar construction to corresponding elements inFIGS. 1A-E have reference numerals indexed by 100. For example, theshaft 22 in FIGS. 1A-E corresponds to shaft 122 in FIGS. 2A-E. Theconfiguration of the tee 120 is similar to the configuration of the tee20, except that the protrusions 138 of the tee 120 are configured andpositioned differently than the protrusions 38 of the tee 20.

As shown in FIG. 2E, each protrusion 138 on the upper surface 136 of thesupport member 132 includes an inner portion 140, an outer portion 142,and an edge portion 144 interconnecting the inner portion and the outerportion. Unlike the protrusions 38 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-E, however,which are distinct from one another, each protrusion 138 on each supportmember 132 shares a common outer portion 142 that is integrated into thesupport member.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2E, each edge portion 144 is spacedradially from the central axis 150 a second distance indicated at D2.The second distance D2 is smaller than the first distance D1 illustratedin the embodiment of FIG. 1E. In this position, the inner portions 140are still engageable with the golf ball to space the golf ball from theupper surfaces 136 of the support members 132. By decreasing the radialdistance D2 between the central axis 150 and each edge portion 144, eachprotrusion 138 is positioned closer to the bottom of the golf ball. Thiscauses the ball to be positioned farther from the lower end portion 124of the tee 120 and, thus, the surface in which the tee is engaged, whichcan be desirable.

An additional difference between the tee 120 and the tee 20 is in thepositioning of the edge portion 144 of the protrusion 138 relative tothe surface 131 of the shaft 122. In particular, the distance betweenthe edge portion 144 and the surface 131 of the shaft 122, indicated atH2 in FIG. 2C, is greater than the distance H1 in the tee 20. Byincreasing this distance, the depth of the opening 134 between thesupport members 132 is likewise increased. A larger opening 134 isadvantageous in that it provides the golfer with a larger visualreference from which to obtain the desired target direction and positionhis body accordingly.

Moreover, the inner portion 140 of the protrusion 138 extends radiallyalong the upper surface 136 a distance indicated at L2 in FIG. 2E. Thisdistance L2 is less than the radial distance L1 over which the innerportion 40 extends along the upper surface 36. Accordingly, the innerportion 140 is smaller than the inner portion 40 and, thus, the surface141 of the inner portion has a smaller surface area than the surface 41of the inner portion 40. Therefore, there is lower frictional engagementbetween the surfaces 141 of the inner portions 140 and the golf ball,which is advantageous for the reasons previously discussed.Additionally, a smaller protrusion 140 results in reduced material andtherefore reduced cost.

A golf tee 220 having an alternative configuration for the upper endportion of the shaft is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-B. The elements in FIGS.3A-B having a similar construction to corresponding elements in FIGS.1A-E have reference numerals indexed by 200. For example, the surface 31of the tee 20 corresponds to the surface 231 of the tee 220. Theconfiguration of the tee 220 is similar to the configuration of the tee20, except that the protrusions 238 on the tee 220 have a differentconstruction.

Similar to the protrusions 38 on the tee 20, each protrusion 238 on thetee 220 includes an inner portion 240, an outer portion 242, and an edgeportion 244 interconnecting the inner portion and the outer portion. Theedge portion 244 is spaced radially from the central axis 250 a distanceindicated at D3. This value may be the same as or different from theradial distances D1 and D2 so long as the inner portions 240 or the edgeportions 244 are capable of engaging the golf ball. The protrusions 238on the tee 220, however, are smaller than the protrusions 38 on the tee20.

In contrast to the inner portions 40 of the protrusions 38, each innerportion 240 of the protrusions 238 extends along only a portion of theradial extent, indicated by L3, of the upper surface 236. Furthermore,the inner portion 240 and the outer portion 242 are narrower than theinner and outer portions 40 and 42, respectively, in a circumferentialdirection. Accordingly, the surface 241 of the inner portion 240 has asmaller surface area than the surface 41 of the inner portion 40 and theedge portion 244 is shorter than the edge portion 44. The advantage ofthis construction is two-fold. Firstly, the smaller protrusions resultin reduced material and, thus, reduced cost. Secondly, the smallersurfaces 241 of the inner portions 240 of the protrusions 238 results inlower frictional engagement between the golf ball and the tee 220.

A golf tee 320 having an alternative configuration for the upper endportion of the shaft is illustrated in FIGS. 4A-B. The elements in FIGS.4A-B having a similar construction to corresponding elements in FIGS.1A-E have reference numerals indexed by 300. For example, the surface 31of the tee 20 corresponds to the surface 331 of the tee 320. Theconfiguration of the tee 320 is similar to the configuration of the tee20, except that the tee 320 does not include projections.

Since the tee 320 does not include projections, a golf ball placed inthe opening 334 will engage the upper surfaces 336 of the supportmembers 332. Similar to the upper surfaces 36 of the support members 32of the tee 20, the upper surfaces 336 of the support members 332 areconcave and generally cupped-shaped. The upper surfaces 336 of the tee320 have an elliptical shape, as viewed in FIG. 4B. A substantial amountof the golf ball is received in the opening 334 between the supportmembers 332.

Although the tee 320 is not described as having protrusions, thosehaving ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the tee 320 couldinclude protrusions similar to those previously illustrated or describedin accordance with the present invention.

A golf tee 420 having an alternative configuration for the upper endportion of the shaft is illustrated in FIGS. 5A-B. The elements in FIGS.5A-B having a similar construction to corresponding elements in FIGS.1A-E have reference numerals indexed by 400. For example, the surface 31of the tee 20 corresponds to the surface 431 of the tee 420. Theconfiguration of the tee 420 is similar to the configuration of the tee20, except that the support members 432 of the tee 420 are positionedasymmetrically about the central axis 450.

As shown in FIG. 5B, each support member 432 of the tee 420 includes afirst surface 461 and a second surface 462 that together define thecircumferential boundaries of each support member relative to thecentral axis 450. The first surfaces 461 of the support members 432extend at a first angle relative to each other as indicated by α1. Thesecond surfaces 462 of the support members 432 extend at a second anglerelative to each other as indicated by α2. The second angle α2 isgreater than the first angle α1 such that the support members 432 areasymmetrically spaced about the central axis 450. Those having ordinaryskill in the art, however, will appreciate that the first and secondangles α1 and α2 could be equal.

An additional difference between the tee 420 and the tee 20 is that thetee 420 may not include protrusions of any kind. Those having ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that the tee 420 could includeprotrusions 438, illustrated by phantom lines in FIGS. 5A-5B, similar tothose previously illustrated or described in accordance with the presentinvention. In the construction having no protrusions, when a golf ballis placed in the opening 434 between the support members 432, the golfball rests on the upper surfaces 436 of the support members and iscentered about the central axis 450 and the axis 452. Similar to the tee20, the upper surfaces 436 of the tee 420 extend axially away from thelower portion 422 and radially outwardly from the central axis 450.

Since the support members 432 are positioned asymmetrically about thecentral axis 450, the golf ball will have uneven frictional engagementwith the upper surfaces 436 of the support members or the protrusions438. In particular, the half of the golf ball positioned closer to thefirst surfaces 461 of the support members 432 will experience frictionalengagement with the upper surfaces 436 between the axis 452 and each ofthe first surfaces and no frictional engagement between the firstsurfaces along the angle α1. In contrast, the other half of the golfball positioned closer to the second surfaces 462 of the support members432 will experience little frictional engagement with the upper surfaces436 because most of that half of the ball overlies the space between thesecond surfaces, which extends over a greater angle than the spacebetween the first surfaces 461.

Due to this construction, if the tee 420 is positioned such that thesecond surfaces 462 are aimed at the target location and the firstsurfaces 461 are aimed away from the target location, a substantialportion of the golf ball may experience little or no frictionalengagement with the tee 420. Specifically, the portion of the balloverlying the space between the second surfaces 462 will neverexperience frictional engagement with the tee 420 because the path ofthe ball away from the tee is in a direction away from the secondsurfaces and orthogonal to the axis 452. This limited frictionalengagement is advantageous for the reasons previously discussed.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of thisinvention have been described, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. As such, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention.

1. A golf tee for supporting a golf ball above a surface comprising: alower end portion engageable with the surface; and an upper end portionengageable with the golf ball, the upper end portion including an uppersurface having a first surface area and a plurality of protrusionsextending from the upper surface, each protrusion having a portionengaging the golf ball when the golf ball is on the golf tee to spacethe golf ball from the upper surface, the portion having a secondsurface area engaging the golf ball smaller than the first surface area.2. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the upper end portion includes aplurality of support members with the upper surfaces defining a topsurface of the golf tee.
 3. The golf tee of claim 2, wherein the supportmembers define an opening that receives the golf ball, the protrusionsextending into the opening
 4. The golf tee of claim 3, wherein theopening extends axially to a surface that separates the support members,the protrusions being spaced from the surface.
 5. The golf tee of claim3, wherein the lower end portion extends along a central axis, the uppersurfaces being spaced radially from the central axis.
 6. The golf tee ofclaim 2, wherein the lower end portion extends along a central axis, thesupport members being asymmetrically spaced about the central axis. 7.The golf tee of claim 1, wherein each protrusion includes an outerportion, an inner portion, and an edge portion interconnecting the outerportion and the inner portion.
 8. The golf tee of claim 7, wherein theedge portions engage the golf ball to space the golf ball from the uppersurface
 9. The golf tee of claim 7, wherein each inner portion has asurface that engages the golf ball to space the golf ball from the uppersurface.
 10. The golf tee of claim 9, wherein the surfaces of the innerportions face one another.
 11. The golf tee of claim 7, wherein eachedge portion is spaced a uniform distance radially from a central axisof the lower end portion.
 12. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein theportions that engage the golf ball are not perpendicular to a centralaxis of the lower end portion.
 13. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein theplurality of protrusions includes four protrusions.
 14. A golf tee forsupporting a golf ball above a surface comprising: a lower end portionengageable with the surface and extending along a central axis; and anupper end portion having a plurality of support members extendingradially outwardly from the central axis, each of the support membersincluding an upper surface having a first surface area and a pluralityof protrusions extending from the upper surface, each protrusioncomprising: a concave inner portion including a surface having a secondsurface area smaller than the first surface area; an convex outerportion; and an edge portion interconnecting the inner portion and theouter portion, each edge portion being spaced a uniform distanceradially from the central axis, the surfaces of the inner portionsengaging the golf ball when the golf ball is on the tee to space thegolf ball from the upper surface.
 15. A golf tee for supporting a golfball above a surface comprising: a lower end portion engageable with thesurface; and an upper end portion engageable with the golf ball, theupper end portion having a plurality of support members, each of thesupport members having an upper surface for engaging the golf ball. 16.The golf tee of claim 15, wherein the lower end portion extends along acentral axis, the support members being asymmetrically spaced about thecentral axis.